Beginning Fall 2023, UCA students will be enrolled in multi-factor authentication (MFA), an easy and secure way of logging into University-related applications that allow you to have protected access to personally sensitive information.
What is MFA?
MFA adds another layer of security to your UCA user account by combining something you know (your password) with something you have (your smartphone, SMS-capable phone, or hardware token). Our partner for this project is Duo, a leader in multi-factor security.
Beginning July 5, 2023, UCA-specific training, education, and set up documentation and videos will be available on our UCA IT website.
Why MFA?
Defending against cyber security threats has become a major part of the overall security plans for universities nationwide. It is becoming increasingly easier for passwords to be compromised either through phishing attacks, illegitimate emails, or malicious software. Therefore, UCA is implementing MFA as part of our overall cyber security plan to protect our community.
How to enroll in MFA (DUO)?
Within 24 hours of enrolling in one or more courses, you will be prompted to configure a device for Duo when logging in to a service that requires MFA (Google, Self-Service, etc) for the first time.
If you don’t have or choose to not use a cell phone, you can use the optional DUO hardware token. The hardware token process has a different enrollment process and will require you to pick up the hardware token at our IT Help Desk in the Mathematics & Computer Science building room 103.
How to use DUO?
To access some university-related applications and services, you’ll be asked to perform a second authentication step using the DUO application on your device. You won’t be required to MFA for each separate service (listed below) during a single logged in session. After you MFA the first time, you’ll be able to access all of your normal services without additional steps, unless you start a new browser, end your current session, or there’s a network connectivity problem within a 30-day window.
Here’s a list of common services through myUCA that are included in MFA:
- Self-Service
- Student Health Appointment
- Cashnet
- BearCard Deposits
- My Housing
- Email – Students
When?
MFA is required for enrolled students beginning August 14, 2023.
If you have questions related to this effort, please contact our IT Help Desk at ithelpdesk@uca.edu.